Below are brief descriptions of 11 of the companies that presented on Thursday. Check back for coverage of some additional presentations.
Axial Biotech (Salt Lake City, Utah) developed the ScoliScore test that predicts whether children diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) are likely to progress to severe disease. Of the children that present as at-risk (spine curvature >10%) less than 2% progress to the point where surgery is necessary (>40%), but all at-risk patients receive multiple x-rays resulting in extra costs and radiation exposure. The ScoliScore test is saliva-based and predicts the likelihood of progression based on multiple genetic markers. Patients receive a score from 0 to 200 with higher scores suggesting follow-up and more aggressive treatment is needed. ScoliScore is marketed by DePuy Spine and will have its full commercial launch this week. The company is working on the development of other tests for spine related conditions.
Beacon Biotechnology (Aurora, Colorado) seeks to develop point of care microarray diagnostics that perform 112 different tests simultaneously. The company’s entire diagnostic system fits on a chip that can be read via a PDA device. The proprietary technology uses extremely sensitive optical detection to test for the presence of a specific molecule (nucleic acid, protein) in a patient sample. The company is first targeting a respiratory infectious disease panel that could test for the most likely culprits when a patient presents in the ER or physician’s office. Beacon Biotechnology was profiled by RockyRadar in July of this year.
BioAmps (Aurora, Colorado) is developing structurally designed anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) for use in battling bacterial infections. The company believes its AMPs may succeed where previous generations have failed because they are designed to be prokaryotic-specific and to have a longer half-life, both of which should lessen toxicity concerns. Furthermore, the specific mechanism of action for BioAmps lead candidate, when interacting with bacterial membranes, is unlikely to induce resistance. The company is currently undertaking pre-clinical testing. BioAmps was profiled by RockyRadar in March of this year.
Biodesix (Broomfield, Colorado) developed and now sells the Veristrat test, a diagnostic that classifies lung cancer patients based on their expected response to EGFR inhibitor Tarceva. The company performs mass spectrometry on a patient blood sample and then classifies the patient after the resulting data is run through a proprietary algorithm. Biodesix continues to collect data on the use of Veristrat, with two retrospective and one prospective clinical trial ongoing. The Veristrat test is likely to be applicable to other EGFR inhibitors and the company’s platform can be used for other classes of molecules. The Biodesix RockyRadar profile will be published later this week.
Bioptix (Boulder, Colorado) uses the common path interferometric detection principle to enable the label-free detection of trace amounts bacteria, viruses, proteins, nucleic acids, antibodies and other biologic materials. The company currently has a beta unit – capable of testing 4 samples – available for customer demonstrations and expects to begin selling similar units in the fourth quarter. Initial target markets include pharmaceutical quality assurance and academia. Later, the company plans to introduce devices capable of interrogating 16 (2010) and 96 (2011) samples simultaneously. Bioptix was profiled by RockyRadar in January of this year.
Coherex Medical (Salt Lake City, Utah) produces a flat stent designed to close openings, performing an analogous function to traditional stents which are designed to maintain openings. The company’s first target indication is patent foramen ovale (PVO), a condition where the normal fetal opening between the right and left atria does not close. While PVO is common (present in about 25% of people), the company plans to target those for whom the condition may be causing serious complications including stroke and migraines. The company received a CE mark (EU approval) for the device in June and is reporting much higher success rates with its device than competing devices, many of which are being used off-label.
GlobeImmune (Louisville, Colorado) develops immunotherapies based on its Tarmogen technology. Tarmogens are whole, heat-killed yeast that contain a specific disease antigen and induce a T-cell response by the body’s immune system. The company’s development efforts in cancer got a big boost when it signed a $500M development agreement in May with Celgene which included its lead molecule GI-4000. GlobeImmune is also developing Tarmogens for use in infectious disease, including GI-5005, which is in Phase 2 development for Hepatitis C.
Inviragen (Fort Collins, Colorado) is a vaccine company seeking to develop vaccines for a variety of conditions prevalent in the developing world including Dengue Fever, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, and Japanese encephalitis. To date the company has raised over $13M in non-dilutive grant funding for its efforts. The company’s Dengue vaccine (DENVax) is based on technology licensed from the CDC that was both safe and effective against Den-2, one of the four strains of the mosquito-carried virus. The Den-2 vaccine has be reengineered substituting structural genes to maintain its safety but provide immunity against the other three strains of disease.
Ligocyte Pharmaceuticals (Bozeman, Montana) uses its proprietary virus-like particle technology in the development of vaccines. The company’s lead program is a nasal vaccine for norovirus, the frequent culprit in cruise ship illnesses. The company expects data in a Phase 1/2 trial that includes the live virus challenge on patients given the vaccine in the second quarter of next year. Target populations for this vaccine include naval crews, cruise vacationers, the elderly, and young children. Ligocyte also has vaccines for influenza and other illnesses in pre-clinical development.
miRagen Therapeutics (Boulder, Colorado) seeks to develop microRNA based therapies for cardiovascular conditions. MicroRNAs serve as important regulators of gene expression and as such increasing the activity of a particular microRNA can serve to affect a cell’s behavior. miRagen seeks to alter the activity of several of the pathways that lead to cell death and fibrosis in chronic heart failure. The company believes this represents an ideal first target as local delivery is possible through the catheter which is currently inserted as part of standard treatment. The company is currently engaged in pre-clinical testing. RockyRadar profiled miRagen in September of this year.
Myocept (Lafayette, Colorado) is working to develop a new class of muscle relaxants that are not burdened by side effects including the sedation inherent in today’s drugs. The company is focused on drugs that modulate the cholinergic receptor family and believes it can control duration of effect through the design of molecules. Target indications include low back pain, dystonias, and cerebral palsy. The company’s molecules also have the potential for cosmetic use, as they work on the same pathway but downstream from Botox.
